STORRS — Jack Driscoll, a member of Hand High School’s undefeated Class L championship team in 2012, is planning to enroll at Auburn as a graduate transfer where the former UMass starting offensive tackle will play for former UConn offensive line coach J.B. Grimes. Meanwhile, former Miami (Fla.) defensive lineman Ryan Fines will be joining UConn and like Driscoll, could make an immediate impact during the 2018 season as a grad transfer.

Luke Carrezola, Cole Ormsby, Sheriden Lawley and Cam Stapleton leave UConn with 57 1/2 tackles for loss and 30 sacks. The most experienced of their potential replacements are James Atkins, Connor Freeborn and Philippe Okounam, who have combined for 12 career tackles, so Fines is adding size and experience to the defensive end position.

“That will help us,” UConn coach Randy Edsall said. “That is something we have been working on.”

The 6-foot-3, 305 pound Fines is originally from Colorado who attended the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.

Fine was a member of the Miami defensive line including 2018 draft prospects Kendrick Norton, R.J. McIntosh and Chad Thomas. Fines’ only tackle during the 2017 season came against Toledo. He had three tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss, during the 2016 season.

Driscoll transformed himself from a 205 pound two-way lineman at Hand to a 300-pound two-year starter at UMass who started all 12 games at right tackle in 2017 and had eight starts in 2016 when he saw time at left guard and left tackle.

While Fines is expected to be on the field when UConn starts preseason camp on Aug. 1, Jordan Swann has informed Edsall of his attention to transfer.

Swann started four games at cornerback as a true freshman when he had 15 tackles with his lone interception coming in a 20-14 win over Tulsa on Oct. 21. He also had seven solo tackles in a win at Temple on Oct. 14.

Swann was a key special teams contributor, especially early in the 2017 season. He averaged 25.9 yards on eight kickoff returns and 8.7 yards on three punt returns.

Swann’s departure could allow Kyle Williams, a walk-on and former Hamden Hall star, to enter preseason camp as the starting cornerback.

Edsall said that he isn’t ruling out true freshmen playing immediately, especially on defense. The incoming freshman class includes seven defensive backs, including Malik Banks and Shamel Lazarus, who were early enrollees who took part in spring practice. Banks is slotted in at the safety/linebacker hybrid position but Lazarus is among those who could compete for immediate playing time at cornerback.

Former Wilbur Cross lineman Travis Jones is another player who Edsall believes has the opportunity to play as a true freshman. With UConn seemingly in good shape at nose tackle with Caleb Thomas, a player who Edsall said is the team’s strongest player, and Kevin Murphy fighting for snaps, Jones could push for playing time at defensive end.

“Not ruling any of those guys out,” Edsall said. “This group has been the best group in terms of doing the things that you are asking them to do and getting the stuff in when they are supposed to have it in, being on top of things. That is another sign for us as coaches that we recruited the right type of kids. We knew they had ability but when you don’t have to be on them about getting this done or getting that done, they take care of it when you tell them one time. That is what you are looking for and you are probably not going to have many issues.”

In recent years the UConn offensive line has not been a position of strength. However, Edsall, who rode the play of dominant offensive lines to lead the Huskies to five bowl appearances in a span of seven seasons during his first stint with the Huskies, said this has the potential to be one of the best groups he’s had. He said that is especially true at the offensive tackle position with Ryan Van Demark and Matt Peart thriving after switching sides with Van Demark now the left tackle and Peart starting on the right side.

No UConn players are expected to be selected in the first round of Thursday’s NFL draft but one of Edsall’s former stars could hear his name called on Thursday as former Maryland receiver D.J. Moore has a realistic chance to be the first opening round pick out of Maryland since receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was the seventh overall pick in 2009.

“He is very talented and he is a really good kid who really works hard,” Edsall said. “I am happy for him and his family. I would be surprised if he is not a first round guy. He is a special player and a special kid too, he is fun to be around.”

james.fuller

@hearstmediact.com; @NHRJimFuller

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